Monthly Archives: June 2016

A young woman hired at the Pizza Studio in the Legends shopping district, in Kansas City, Kansas, asked her boss why she was not making as much as her male coworker. The two individuals had been hired for the same position, they are the same age and have the same amount of work experience. She was hired for $8.00 per hour and he was hired for $8.25 per hour. After questioning this, both were fired. Their manager claimed it was against policy for employees to discuss wages. The wage gap, equal pay, and sex-based wage discrimination have been part of a major national conversation about men, women, and workplace rights. This is one of many wage discrimination examples that have recently been in the news, including a wage discrimination complaint filed with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission by an attorney for five players on the US Women’s Soccer team. While gender issues are often viewed or defined as problems one gender faces more than another gender, both male and female employees suffer when their employer permits discrimination. Laws against discrimination and sexual harassment in the workplace, which can vary by state, offer protections to employees. Employment lawyers at the Bullman Law Firm in Kansas City may be able to help if you are experiencing mistreatment, such as discrimination and harassment, at work.

In March 2016, five players on the U.S. Women’s Soccer team filed a complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). Part of the claim alleged that members of the women’s team make up to four times less than their male national team counterparts. The U.S. Soccer Federation has asked the EEOC to dismiss the complaint of wage discrimination, stating that there is no evidence U.S. Soccer is acting with a ‘discriminatory motive’ or is in violation of the law. According to the article below, an attorney for the players who filed the complaint has not immediately responded. The different ways the players are paid contributes to much of the disparity in wages between the men and women. The women earn salaries and receive biweekly paychecks from the U.S. Soccer Federation. Base pay is $72,000 for most players, with bonuses based on game appearances and wins. The women also earn separate salaries for play in the National Women’s Soccer League. Last year, they won the World Cup and played a series of victory tour matches. Because the pay structure was set up under separate collective bargaining agreements negotiated by unions for the men’s and women’s national teams, some may find it unclear as to whether wage discrimination is the problem. While this matter is regarding compensation for these star athletes, it is important to note that employment discrimination can affect men and women in any field, at any pay grade. The Equal Pay Act requires that male and female workers in the same workplace be given equal pay for equal work. The website for the EEOC provides the description that the jobs don’t have to be identical, but they must be substantially equal. If there is an inequality in wages between men and women, employers may not reduce the wages of either sex to equalize their pay. There are laws against discrimination and employees facing issues such as wage discrimination, sex discrimination, gender harassment or sexual harassment in the workplace should be informed about what protections they have. Agencies, such as the EEOC and the Missouri Commission on Human Rights (MCHR), or lawyers at employment law firms in your area may be able to assist.

Up until around 1991, what constituted ‘sexual harassment’ was viewed as something an employee had to deal with on the job. 1991’s Civil Rights Act expanded the rights of employees against employers in cases of discrimination and harassment and made these actions illegal. The website for the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) describes harassment as including but not limited to ‘sexual harassment’ or unwelcome sexual advances, or offensive remarks about a person’s sex. Workers’ protections constantly evolve as laws change. While some may be familiar with recent sex discrimination lawsuits or with what sex harassment is, it was not always this way. Women, such as Anita Hill, have brought attention to how serious the issue of sexual harassment in the workplace is and what action you can take if it is happening to you. Greater awareness and stronger laws may prevent future sexual harassment. But if you are working in the Kansas City area and experiencing similar mistreatment, such as discrimination and/or harassment at work, avenues for help include employment law firms, labor lawyers, the Missouri Commission on Human Rights (MCHR), and the EEOC. An attorney may be able to help you better understand your rights.

Sexual harassment in the workplace continues to plague female politicians. The article below, published in New York magazine, focuses on concerns voiced and changes proposed by numerous female French politicians. One major concern is the number of women who complain about sexual harassment and are retaliated against for reporting it. Unfortunately, women (or men) who denounce sexual harassment in the workplace often face termination. Recently, an abundance of sexual assault allegations have been made against various male French politicians, which range from groping to hitting. In the Journal de Dimanche column, politicians called current protections for employees ineffective, proposed legislative reforms, better compensation for those who suffer from sex harassment, and changes to the criminal justice system for fielding sexual assault claims. Such proposals were made in hopes of preventing future sexual harassment in the workplace. Sexual harassment is a universal issue and affects both women and men, in any field, at any age, no matter who their employer is. Laws against discrimination and harassment can differ depending on location. In the United States, the protections workers have can vary by state. Many attorneys and employment law firms are available to be contacted through their websites via online inquiries, by phone or by email. If you are experiencing discrimination and/or harassment at work in Missouri and want to better understand your rights, call a labor lawyer today.

The U.S. Women’s soccer team has sought improved conditions and wages, but a federal judge ruled the team does not have the right to strike before the Summer Olympics. The U.S. Soccer Federation warned a strike could have forced the women’s team to withdraw from the Olympic games. In March, five players filed a complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) that alleged wage discrimination by the federation. The players, Hope Solo, Alex Morgan, Carli Lloyd, Becky Sauerbrunn and Megan Rapinoe, alleged they are paid significantly less than their male counterparts. The court’s ruling regarding the strike was not in response to any unfair compensation or wage discrimination. The men and women are under separate collective bargaining agreements and the article below includes the positions stated by their union, U.S. Soccer Federation lawyers, and the judge. The U.S. won the 2015 World Cup and opens the defense of its Olympic title on August 3rd. Many players have voiced concern over gender equity and what the future of U.S. soccer holds. This matter is a timely topic with the Olympics approaching and equal pay more openly discussed. Famous or not so famous, workers in any field can suffer from mistreatment, such as race discrimination or sex discrimination or harassment at work. Employees experiencing employment discrimination or harassment in the Kansas City area should consider contacting an attorney or law firm near them to better understand their rights. Labor lawyers, the EEOC, and the Missouri Commission on Human Rights (MCHR) are in place to protect workers’ rights and hold employers accountable.

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This is provided as a guide only, and not legal advice. Please contact our firm at 1-800-578-4357 for a no-charge legal consultation for sex harassment, sexual harassment or discrimination.